Marc Descheemaecker

Marc Descheemaecker is a transformational leader specialising in turning complex public sector organisations into efficient, high-performing enterprises. As former CEO of Belgium's National Railways from 2005 to 2013, he modernised an ageing fleet, increased ridership by 60%, and transformed loss-making international ventures into profitable partnerships with Thalys and Eurostar. Currently serving as Chairman of Brussels Airport Company and De Lijn, Belgium's national public transport operator, he guides major infrastructure modernisation projects planned for 2026-2027. His sessions equip leaders with practical strategies for driving organisational change, managing stakeholder complexity, and delivering sustainable results in challenging environments where public accountability meets commercial reality.

During his eight-year tenure as CEO of Belgium's National Railways from 2005 to 2013, Marc Descheemaecker achieved what many considered impossible: a 60% increase in passenger numbers whilst reducing the workforce by nearly 20%, modernising an ageing fleet, and transforming loss-making international ventures with Thalys and Eurostar into profitable partnerships. His ability to navigate the competing demands of public accountability and commercial performance established him as one of Europe's most effective change managers in the mobility sector. That track record now shapes his influence across multiple industries, from aviation and public transport to European investment and infrastructure development.

As Chairman of Brussels Airport Company and De Lijn, Belgium's national public transport operator, Descheemaecker guides major infrastructure modernisation projects planned for 2026 and 2027, applying the same strategic rigour that defined his railway transformation. Appointed by the Belgian government as a director of the European Investment Bank, he has helped shape significant European initiatives, including a €10 billion investment mobilisation for Europe's biotech and life sciences sector. His board positions at Ethias, GIMV, and the European Investment Fund extend his influence across insurance, venture capital, and innovation funding, where he provides strategic oversight to organisations driving economic growth across the continent. Beyond corporate governance, his public stance against racism following the Brussels Airport terror attacks demonstrated leadership that transcends business metrics, earning widespread respect for his commitment to inclusive workplaces and communities.

Descheemaecker equips leaders with practical frameworks for managing organisational change in environments where political complexity, stakeholder expectations, and financial constraints converge. His presentations draw on real restructuring challenges, from negotiating international rail partnerships to modernising transport networks under intense public scrutiny. Audiences gain actionable strategies for reducing operational costs without compromising service quality, building stakeholder consensus across competing interests, and implementing transformation programmes that deliver measurable results. Whether addressing infrastructure leaders, public sector executives, or investment professionals, he provides clarity on how to balance short-term pressures with long-term sustainability. His insights help organisations move beyond incremental improvements towards fundamental change that strengthens economies, connects communities, and creates lasting public value.